Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

DEAR Students, embodiments of Divine Love! Teachers! Patrons of education! To every man born on earth Truth is the visible manifestation of God. The entire cosmos composed of moving and immovable objects has emerged from Truth, is sustained by Truth and merges in Truth. "Sathyam-Jnanam-Anantham Brahma" (Truth is Brahmam. Truth is eternal). Vedantins equated Truth with Brahmam (the Supreme). Hence everyone has to revere Truth alone.

Sathya and Dharma will not submit to any one. Every kind of strength, physical or otherwise, will have to come under their sway. Success follows Sathya and Dharma. Whatever your scholarship or position, you have to cultivate respect for human values. Indian culture is unexcelled and stands supreme. Students have forgotten its grandeur and glory. In the pursuit of modernity, students are oblivious to their inherent divinity.

What the students have to safeguard is not the nation. They have to protect Sathya and Dharma only. These two will protect all. Giving up Truth and right conduct, educated persons, in the name of country and nation, are undermining the country. It is more vital to cultivate virtues than go after scholarship or other possessions of a transient nature. It is a pity that even the elders, lured by modernity, are following occidental ways, giving up their own ancient culture. It is no wonder the younger generation is following their example. Leaders, parents and teachers are not setting the right example to young people. Our ancients led exemplary, noble lives because of their practice of virtue. They pursued the four Purusharthas (goals of life) and shared the benefits and joys derived therefrom with others. Young people today indulge in all sorts of practices. Of the four Purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha - they have given up Dharma and Moksha and are only pursuing Artha (material welfare) and Kama (sensual desires). As a consequence, disorder and insecurity have grown in society. The loss of peace and security is the direct result of forgetting Truth and Righteousness. Students! Do not forget our ancient culture. This is the very life-breath of Bharatiyas. Bharat has offered to the world the gems of this culture. Samskriti refers to the process of refinement of every object before it is made fit for human use. For example, paddy has to be converted into cooked rice before it is fit for consumption. In the process it undergoes many changes and acquires added value. Likewise, man should not remain in the state in which he was born. He should manifest his inherent divinity. Students should therefore try to acquire, in addition to academic knowledge, qualities like humility and discrimination, which will help them to become full-fledged human personalities. As a seed finds fulfilment in a fruit-bearing tree, man should find fulfilment in a purposeful life.

Love is a great quality in man. But it should be shown not only towards other human beings, but also towards all living creatures. This is the mark of the culture. "Adveshta sarvabhoothanam" (There should be no ill-will towards any living being), declares the Gita. The Upanishads, the Gita and the Puranas have all declared that there is no greater Dharma than Truth and that victory goes to those who have truth and righteousness on their side. Dear students! Take note that you have to live for the sake of an ideal and not for mere living. To lead an exemplary life, you need love of the nation and love of the Atma (Spirit). Realise the greatness of your nation, its sacredness, its purity, its vastness, its sublime ideals and how it is overflowing with love. Belittling their own country, Indian students are going abroad. No country in the world has all that Bharat has. Born in this land of Karma, Yoga and Thyaga, students should understand and cherish its cultural heritage. Their ignorance of this culture is due to the absence of teachers and parents who could convey the elements of this culture to the students. During the fifteen days of the summer course, you have to learn how to harmonise this ancient culture with the needs of the modern world and to lead lives governed by Truth and Righteousness. Position or power is not important. They are transient. One should not be proud about wealth, progeny or youthful vigour. All of them may go in a moment. Adolescence is a precious period in one's life. It should be rightly used.

Remember that Bharatiya culture transcends the limitations of time, space and circumstance. Endeavour to know its unique greatness. In the coming weeks I shall be speaking on the functions of the body, the senses, the mind, the Will and the Atma from the spiritual point of view, as desired by the Vice-Chancellor in his welcome address. It is essential that students should know about these matters. Of what avail is it for one to know all about the external world without knowing who he is in reality? You have to know the nature of the Brahmam and the Self. Devotion is the most important requisite. Without devotion to God, nothing can be accomplished.